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Posted by Liz R on October 03, 2000 at 14:43:49:

In Reply to: Being Diagnosed posted by Adad on October 03, 2000 at 11:29:36:

: My son started to speak a little late, but now at 2 1/2, the cute little behaviors that were so endearing: as he began to speak have become repeititive and scary. Sometimes he seems fine. Sometimed : distracted. We blamed it on the stress of our twins birth and the attention they were getting. : My wife and I grew worried and eventually I checked out a webpage on autism and I feel like I had : been hit by mac truck face. Frankly, I would rather have been hit in the face by a truck.

: I am not sure why I am writing this other than I am trying to sit in my office and act like things are normal... : with people shuttling in and out asking questions, and while I blame my watery eyes on my allergies. I : dare not tell anyone, lesat I be branded one of those poeple who can't be counted on.

: I am not sure what I am hoping to hear in responce to this posting... that I should feel lucky that he's : often a very functional kid? Or hold on tight, he'll get worse? Or don't worry there will be good days? : Or get the twins checked out early becasue it runs in families?

: I could use some advise on how to interact with him. It now seems as if everything he does is an autistic : behavior, but my wife and I are so frazzled that we can't tell anymore

: My wife is spending her day setting up appointments and speaking to case workers as the cleaning : women takes care of the twins and Ian. I used up all my vacation when my wife was in and out of the hospital : for month when the twins were born. Plus I am sure I'll need time off on other days.

: If anyone has anything helpful, reassuing, or pleasant to say, please write back. I have been putting aside money : money for his college education since the day he was born. Is it too much to pray he gets to use it?

: A Dad :

Our 3 year old son was just diagnosed in April. At first we were in denial and then undeniable grief. This past month I have finally been able to come to more of an acceptance stage He is improving. No - he is not moving along as fast as our other 2 children, but he is making progress. It can be overwhelming at first. There is so much information out there about autism and different treatments for autism. Some pediatricians are supportive of these treatments and some are not. Don't blame yourself for his autism. You did nothing to cause this. It can be hard to let people know about the diagnosis, but many people are supportive. It sounds like you are doing everything you can. Have faith that one day you will be able to use that college fund. There are children in my son's preschool that have just taken off verbally after the age of three. At the age of 2 1/2 it is hard to know what level of functioning he will attain. Also, you have had an early diagnosis - this gives him the best chance of recovery. God bless you and your family. I will be praying for you son and have faith that he will get better.